What can you do when a rescue dog follows you everywhere? As sweet as it sounds, it can get a little discerning. We love our dogs, but sometimes we feel like we need some boundaries! Even if you love having your dog attached at the hip, you might start to worry what will happen to him if you have to leave him home alone. Read on for tips to deal with what we call a “glue dog.”
Related-> How To Train A Rescue Dog That Was Abused
What is a Glue Dog?
Glue dog is a term you may or may not have heard of. It’s the colloquial term for a dog who wants to be with his owner at all times. While some people love this trait, others find it somewhat annoying and hampering. I decided to do an article on this because I came across a question on Reddit from an owner asking why her rescue dog always followed her around.
She had adopted the dog from a shelter, and the little pooch is constantly by her side. He also gets upset when she leaves. Her question was how to correct this behavior. The short answer is that you really don’t. There’s no need to, in fact. Having a glue dog is a perfectly natural thing.
Why is Your Pooch a Glue Dog
Rather than focusing on how to correct your dog’s desire to be with you – because that’s a good thing – I’m going to discuss why your dog is stuck to you like Gorilla Glue. Fist let’s take a look at why any dog, rescue or not, can be a glue dog.
Pack Mentality
Dogs are pack animals. Although they are far, far removed from their wolf ancestors, they still retain their need to be part of a pack. Dogs have an ingrained desire to be part of a group, and they will bond to members of the family strongly. Occasionally, they will bond more strongly to one member of the family than the other. This member is most often viewed as the “alpha” or leader of the pack.
A glue dog is a dog with an extra strong pack mentality. This dog absolutely adores his people. He loves them without question. And he absolutely must be with them at all times. Classic glue dog behavior is following family members from room to room and waiting at the door for their return.
Safety and Love
Many dogs feel safer when they are with their community, which means their owners. This is especially true with a rescue dog. Consider the life of a rescue dog. There are two scenarios. Either the dog was abused, or the dog was given up. In the first case, the adoptive owner is most likely the first person who’s ever shown the dog any sort of love, affection, and care. In the latter case, the new owner is a source of companionship and comfort that has gone missing from the dog’s life. In both cases, the dogs have most likely been housed in loud, frightening shelter kennels. Which is awful for their mental well-being.
What Can You Do When A Rescue Dog Follows You Everywhere?
How do you stop a rescue dog from following you everywhere? You don’t. Simply put, a glue dog is a dog who is totally in love with you, and that’s a good thing. The glue dog is the classic “man’s best friend”. He is utterly devoted to his “pack” and just wants to be in the center of it. A glue dog is the ultimate companion for any family. Of course, he might cry if you leave the house, and he’ll most certainly wait by the door, but that’s okay.
If your dog is a glue dog, don’t be concerned. Be happy. Embrace the stuck-on-you attitude. Frankly, you’ll never be able to get rid of it, anyway. It is simply an ingrained instinctual trait which is more strong in this kind of dog. There’s really no getting around that because the dog isn’t doing anything wrong.
Do you have a glue dog? What would you say to someone who asked what to do about when a rescue dog follows you everwhere?
